As Thai floods recede, more communities clean up

Thai Buddhist monks, city workers, volunteers and soldiers gather in front of Dhammakaya temple before starting a cleaning operation in Patum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water. 

A Thai volunteer removes dirt on a roadside during a cleaning operation in Patum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water. 

A resident wades through floodwater as a wave generated by a passing truck hits a barber shop in Bang Khae district of Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water.

A Thai woman pulls a homemade boat carrying her son on a flooded street in Bang Khae district of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water.

Thai Buddhist monks rest during a cleaning operation in Patum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water.

A resident wades through floodwaters as a wave generated by a passing truck hits Buddhist statues at a shop in Bang Khae district of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water. 

Thai volunteers sweep a road during a cleaning operation in Patum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water. 

Thai volunteers and a Buddhist monk remove garbage from a roadside during a cleaning operation in Patum Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. The situation has improved dramatically in recent days and cleanup has begun in many areas, though some still face weeks more under water. The government said 17 provinces remained flooded Sunday.